First things first: In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, there is no sales tax on clothing.
There, now you can explore the area's many malls with a lighter conscience. In the not-to-be-missed category are the marble floors and upscale stores at the King of Prussia Court and Plaza. You'll need a day for each. Also worth the trip is Franklin Mills - the premier outlet center for every bargain hunter. And the Plymouth Meeting Mall is home to Ikea, the perfect place to pick up accessories for the dorm.
PENNSYLVANIA PHILADELPHIA
Franklin Mills Mall
800-336-MALL, Philadelphia, off Interstate 95 at Woodhaven Road. The approximately 200 outlet stores include Saks Fifth Avenue, JC Penney, Spiegel, Boscov's, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus. Hours are 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11-6 p.m. Sundays.
The Gallery at Market East
215-625-4962, Market Street between Eighth and 11th Streets. The 170 stores include Strawbridge's and JC Penney. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, and noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Strawbridge's is open Sundays until 6 p.m.
Shops at Liberty Place
215-851-9055, Chestnut Street between 16th and 17th Streets. The 70 stores include Express, Structure, J. Crew, United Colors of Benetton and Nine West. Hours are 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesdays, and noon-6 p.m. Sundays.
BUCKS COUNTY
Neshaminy Mall
215-357-6100, Bensalem, off Route 1 or Exit 28 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The 110 stores include Boscov's, Sears and Strawbridge's. Hours are 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays.
Oxford Valley Mall
215-752-0221, Langhorne, Exit 29A of Route 1 at Oxford Valley Road. The 150 stores include Macy's, Sears, Strawbridge's, and JC Penney. Hours are 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
The Plaza and the Court at King of Prussia
610-265-5727, King of Prussia, Route 202, near the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The 450 stores in both malls include Bloomingdale's, Macy's, and Strawbridge's at the Court; Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus, JC Penney, and Sears at the Plaza. Hours are 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays.
Montgomery Mall
215-362-1600, Montgomeryville, at Routes 202 and 309. The 160 stores include Macy's, JC Penney, Sears, and Strawbridge's. Hours are 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays.
Plymouth Meeting Mall
610-825-9351, Plymouth Meeting, at Exit 25 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike or Exit 9 of Interstate 476. The 120 stores include Strawbridge's, Ikea and Boscov's. Hours are 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays.
Willow Grove Park
215-657-6000, Willow Grove, at Welsh and Moreland Roads. The 150 stores include Strawbridge's, Bloomingdale's and Sears. Hours are 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays.
DELAWARE COUNTY
Granite Run Mall
610-565-1650, Media, at Exit 3 of Interstate 476 or at Routes 1 and 352. The 130 stores include Boscov's, Sears, Kohl's and JC Penney. Hours are 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays.
Springfield Mall
610-328-1200, Springfield, at Exit 2 of Interstate 476 on Baltimore Pike. The 75 stores include Macy's and Strawbridge's. Hours are 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays.
CHESTER COUNTY
Coventry Mall
610-327-0700, Pottstown, at Routes 724 and 100. The 80 stores include Sears, JC Penney, Boscov's and Bradlees. Hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays.
Exton Square Mall
610-363-2860, Exton, at Routes 30 and 100. The 93 stores include Strawbridge's. Hours are 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays.
NEW JERSEY BURLINGTON COUNTY
Burlington Center
609-387-8300, Burlington, Exit 47A of Interstate 295. The 120 stores include Sears, Strawbridge's and JC Penney. Hours are 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays.
Moorestown Mall
609-235-7602, Moorestown, Route 38. The 100 stores include Boscov's, Sears and Strawbridge's. Hours are 10 a.m-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays.
CAMDEN COUNTY
Cherry Hill Mall
609-662-7440, Cherry Hill, Route 38 and Haddonfield Rd. The 175 stores include Strawbridge's, JC Penney and Macy's. Hours are 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays.
Echelon Mall
609-772-1950, Voorhees, at Burnt Mill and Somerdale Roads. The 155 stores include Boscov's, Strawbridge's and JC Penney. Hours are 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays.
GLOUCESTER COUNTY
Deptford Mall
609-848-8100, Deptford, Deptford Center Road off Rtes 55 and 42. The 150 stores include Macy's, Strawbridge's and Sears. Hours are 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays.
